Assistant Category Manager (Category Analyst III)
About The Position
Hannaford Supermarkets started out as a fresh produce vendor in Portland, Maine way back in 1883, and is still connected to those early roots as a local market. Hannaford actively seeks out farmers and producers to join our Local program which celebrates not only local foods, but the preservation of farmland, local traditions and local jobs. The connection we have to the source of our fresh foods is core to the way we do business, becoming the first major supermarket in the United States to document that all its seafood products were sustainably harvested. Hannaford offers a flexible work environment, with a hybrid work expectation for Home Office based positions of being physically present in the Scarborough Home Office 3 days a week. This expectation serves to nourish our culture, showcase care through flexibility, and strengthen our partnerships. Position Summary: Responsible for supporting the day-to-day activities of a selling organization culture with a consumer-centric focus through Category, Merchandising and Pricing (CMP) responsibilities. Responsible for intense negotiations and management of vendor relationships with minimal supervision from the Category Manager (CM). Will provide leadership coverage for the Category team when the CM is unavailable. Will lead the processes of shelf presentation, assortment decisions, cost negotiations, promotional planning as well as product and program development for assigned Categories. Will work collaboratively with Shelf Merchandising, Banner Merchandising, Pricing and Replenishment to implement the execution of a comprehensive, cohesive, and well-integrated Category plan in support of each Banner's strategy and Integrated Business Plan. Also responsible for collaborating with Retail Operations, Marketing, Merchandising Governance & Planning (MGP) and Private Brands to ensure maximum organizational alignment and optimal portfolio performance according to established goals and strategic plans.
Requirements
- 5-8 years working experience.
- Knowledge of applicable practice areas, i.e., Fresh or Center Store categories.
- Mature level of knowledge for company, business, and industry practices
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite of Programs
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and related work experience.
Nice To Haves
- Working knowledge of relationship management with vendors, brokers, and third-party consultants
- Negotiation experience
- Experience with the following computer programs: SEGA/Mainframe, MicroStrategy DSS and IRI Analytic Tools.
- Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) preferred
Responsibilities
- Assist the Category Manager with providing day to day direction for implementation and support of strategies and initiatives of Category, Merchandising & Pricing.
- Provide leadership coverage for the team when CM is unavailable.
- Work collaboratively across departments to meet budgeted key performance metrics, which include, but are not limited to: Sales, Movement, Market Share, and Net Contribution metrics These key performance metrics are meant to be comprehensive in nature but are not limited to the list above due to changing nature of business priorities.
- Responsible for all aspects of analysis for categories being analyzed and supports the achievement of Banner’s strategies. This will include, but not be limited to:
- Assisting the CM with negotiating the most advantageous programs with vendors and actively seeking out new opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining an optimal item mix.
- Assisting the CM with negotiating the lowest cost, including all elements that impact costs such as logistics, distribution, shrink, and reclaim – including swell allowances.
- Ensuring appropriate assortment mix changes as each Category moves through review.
- Ensuring promotional plans are developed using identified items that will leverage margin while meeting the standards for the defined category role and strategy for each Banner.
- Assist in the creation of a comprehensive, cohesive Category strategy that will meet the needs of the consumers and achieve Category goals while supporting the Banner Integrated Business Plan.
- Validate compliance of the on-shelf Category assortment presentation and item mix.
- Assisting the CM to manage budgets to ensure targets are met.
- Leverage Private Brand items to build consumer loyalty and profitability within the Category.
- Provide off-shelf merchandising recommendations to Banner Merchandising teams in support of the Banner ad themes and strategies.
- Communicating Banner strategies openly and effectively to teams and vendor community.
- Serving as the market resource expert for assigned Categories.
- Provide support for motivating peers and function as an effective promoter of change and growth.
- Provide support for the implementation of a continuous improvement culture.
- Serve as a member of key teams and committees as needed.
- Responsible for the development, talent planning and performance management of self.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
